|
by Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Joined practice July 2006 of
John K. Throckmorton, DPM
Lansing, Michigan |
|
In the grand nomadic tradition of many physicians today, I will be joining the ranks of relocating doctors. Your New Docs editor is moving on to new horizons: I’m relocating practice to a new location. For those of you who enjoy reading these editorials - I thank you very much for your readership and participation—don’t worry, this doesn’t mean the end of New Docs on the Block. In fact, I consider this move of mine a content enhancement for you. My new situation will provide even more topics for us to discuss and debate.
|
|
So what is this new situation of mine? I’m moving from an associate position in a private practice in Lansing, Michigan to a position in a multi-specialty practice associated with a hospital in Madras, Oregon.
Of course, this is not a decision I’ve made lightly. To help those of you trying to figure out what route to go in your careers, I’d like to provide you a glimpse of my thought process behind my decision. The first obvious question is: why am I moving? The principle reason is to be closer to family. We are originally from the West (Arizona for myself, Oregon for my wife) and have come to realize that we’re too far away from the rest of the family.
I have also felt the yearning to return to the rugged mountainous country of the West. Michigan is a pretty
state, but it doesn’t hold the same attraction to me that the Western United States does. Winter in Michigan can be pretty miserable, as well. A more temperate climate will suit me better.
From a professional standpoint, this is a vertical move with a substantial increase in pay and practice opportunity. Although I have been very satisfied with my overall surgical opportunities in Lansing, I have been almost completely shut out of emergency care of patients, as well as some of the more complex reconstruction. Due to an inordinately large volume of orthopedists in the area, the competition for fracture repair is too high, which has resulted in a lack of patients for me. When I graduated residency, I wanted to practice the full scope of podiatric medicine and surgery, which I’m somewhat limited in right now. My new location and association with two hospitals will open up these opportunities.
Another not insubstantial reason for my decision is patient care. I’ve become very tired of determining the type and level of care based on what insurance they have. For instance, I don’t see Medicaid patients in private practice—and those that I do see, I’m not reimbursed for at all (a limitation working with my current boss). My personal vision of medical practice is treating anyone who needs it. Now, I’m not naive enough to think I’ll be escaping these problems—I’d have to move out of the United States. But I’ll be somewhat protected by the hospital system, which has the same vision as me (and my salary).
We’ll be taking a couple of weeks off during the move to our new location, but we’ll return shortly with new topics of discussion, observations, and doubtless, no shortage of opinions! For the residents, best wishes on your upcoming graduations and transitions into new experiences.
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT New Docs Editor
[email protected]
|
